Desperately Wicked: Philosophy, Christianity and the Human HeartWhat is the human heart like? Theologians and philosophers have attempted to address this question, not just in the abstract, but concretely in personal, as well as social and political, dimensions. Patrick Downey explores the biblical writings of Genesis and the Hebrew prophet Jeremiah, the Greek tragedies, Plato, Aristotle, and political philosophers--such as Rousseau, Hobbes, Nietzsche and René Girard--to seek answers to this profound question. Recognizing our resistance to know the truth about our own hearts, Downey calls his readers to join with these thinkers in the search for truth and serious self-reflection. Not for the faint of heart, this book courageously addresses the most foundational question of our existence as individuals in community. What is the nature of the human heart and can we, will we, know it? |
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Desperately wicked: philosophy, Christianity and the human heart
User Review - Not Available - Book VerdictThe central question that drives Downey's (philosophy, St. Mary's Coll., CA) text is whether the heart, or core, of every human is evil and how this philosophical perspective affects political ... Read full review
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abraham actions adam and Eve animal answer aristotle athena bacchae become Bible blood Cain Cain’s Christ Christian faith creator death deceit deed desire to know Dionysus else’s enemies eros erotic and thumotic erotic desires erotic fears everything evil father fears and desires feel flesh G. W. F. Hegel Genesis give God’s Greek tragedy happiness hidden hide honor human imitate incest injustice Jean-Jacques Rousseau Jesus justice kill king knowledge live logos look Lord master means miracle morality mother murder nature Nevertheless Nicomachean Ethics oedipus Oedipus the King one’s Oresteia other’s ourselves Phenomenology of Spirit philosopher Plato Republic pleasure possess problem question remains resurrection reveals ring rival rivalry rule scapegoat seen self-knowledge sexual shareable body slave social Socrates someone sort story things Thomas Hobbes thumotic desires thumotic passion true truly truth victim violence wicked heart wickedness
Bibliographic information
| Title | Desperately Wicked: Philosophy, Christianity and the Human Heart |
| Author | Patrick Downey |
| Publisher | InterVarsity Press, 2009 |
| ISBN | 083082894X, 9780830828944 |
| Length | 181 pages |
| Subjects | › › Philosophy / Ethics & Moral Philosophy Religion / Christian Theology / Anthropology Religion / Ethics Religion / Religion, Politics & State |
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